The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, but granted separate ratings for radiculopathy in each lower extremity.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria under Diagnostic Codes 5237 and 5243. The veteran's symptoms were considered to be within the range of normal flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation without muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint and Disc Disease of the Lumbosacral Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 6, 2008
- Citation
- 0818719
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0818719.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's right thumb disability is rated at 30% effective October 31, 2011. The spine condition remains under review.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder related to service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher initial rating of 60 percent is warranted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a portion of the veteran's current low back strain. The VA physician's opinion supports this finding, linking it to in-service complaints. However, no other diagnosed back disorders are considered related to service.
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